Legislature(2001 - 2002)
02/22/2001 03:02 PM House HES
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SCR 2-SOBRIETY AWARENESS MONTH CHAIR DYSON announced the committee would hear testimony on CS FOR SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 2(HES), Relating to declaring March 2001 as Sobriety Awareness Month. Number 0463 SENATOR JERRY WARD, Alaska State Legislature, came forth as a sponsor for SCR 2. He relayed a conversation he had with people who are planning the blanket toss at the Special Olympics. He said they are the real heroes of the sobriety movement. They have been honored in the community because either they or their families have been touched by the devastating effects of alcohol and drugs. They have chosen to lead a life, as an example, honoring sobriety at every turn, which is not easy in a lot of communities. This month, March 2001, would honor those people who chose to honor sobriety in relation to drugs, inhalants, and alcohol. Senator Ward said, for example, that this gave Mike Williams the opportunity to carry the sobriety pledge on his way to the Iditarod, as well as to visit some 137 villages. This resolution will give opportunities to teachers, educators, and "providers" to be able to talk about alcoholism. For those who chose to wear the white ribbon during the month of March, people will know what it represents. This is a time that is set aside for Alaskans to say its OK to be sober. And not only is it OK but it is honored, and those leaders who have chosen this lifestyle are held in the highest esteem. Number 0672 SENATOR WARD recalled that a man he had just spoken with had mentioned the Red Road that is derived from the Athabascan culture. The Red Road refers to the blood that runs through everyone, blood that deserves to be free of these devastating effects [from alcohol and drugs]. Number 0730 ERNIE TURNER, Director, Division of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Department of Health & Social Services, came forth in support SCR 2. He said the department truly supports SCR 2 because it is important to people, especially those along the Iditarod Trail, who plan on doing some sobriety celebration. He noted that there are other communities as well that celebrate March as Sobriety Awareness Month. Number 0779 CHAIR DYSON shared that he grew up in an alcoholic home and that it was not until he was an adult that he realized what that [environment] produces in the kids. He remarked that giving attention to the heroes who are fighting the battle and giving people courage to change and speak up about what's going on is commendable. REPRESENTATIVE CISSNA remarked that Alaska truly does have a serious alcoholism problem, which has had significant effects on relationships, lives, and the quality of life. A person can't live in this state very long without having alcohol affect his or her life. Until sobriety is something that everyone feels very strongly about and upholds as a standard to try to help other people not to abuse alcohol, sobriety, at least in the public sense, would be something to celebrate. REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL commented that there is a real battle that has to be won here, and it has to be done in a very positive way. Quite often, people refuse to look at what the real enemy is. Number 0956 REPRESENTATIVE COGHILL made a motion to move CSSCR 2(HES) out of committee. There being no objection, CSSCR 2(HES) moved from the House Health, Education and Social Services Standing Committee.
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